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Friday, September 2, 2011

The Tranquilizer

It binds and confines every part of the body. By keeping the trunk erect, lessens the impetus of blood toward the brain By preventing the muscles from acting, it prevents the force and frequency of the pulse, and by the position of the head and feet favors the easy application of cold water or ice to the former and warm water to the later. Its effects have been truly delightful to me. It acts as a sedative to the tongue and temper as well as to the blood vessels. In 23, 12, six, and in some cases in for hours, the most refractory patients have been composed. I call it the Tranquilizer. -- Benjamin Rush